Fair-Minded Crowd Revels at County’s ‘Garden Party’

Covered from head to toe with sunflowers of all sizes, Margarite Hampton drew laughs Saturday from other visitors at the Orange County Fair.

“It’s gotta be the hat,” the 38-year-old Costa Mesa homemaker said of her straw hat sprouting plastic sunflowers. “I just blend right in.”

Thousands of fair-goers were greeted this opening weekend by rows of live sunflowers lining the Orange County Fairgrounds in keeping with this year’s theme, “Come to Our Garden Party.”

A tribute to the horticulture and nursery industry, organizers had goat-milking contests, gave gardening tips and proudly displayed a 1965 Chevy pickup decked out as a “Chia truck.” The vehicle, covered with the same greens as Chia Pets, provided a popular backdrop for pictures.

“I’ve seen a Chia Pet before, but never anything like this,” said Carmen Ng, visiting with friends from Canada. “I’ve also never been to a fair before, so I find everything so funny.”

A gentle breeze sent the aroma of popcorn wafting through the air as thousands flocked to food booths and carnival rides such as the Ejector Seat.

Aaron Baker, 16, could hardly contain his excitement as he stood in line for the chance to be catapulted 150 feet in the air at 40 to 60 m.p.h. by a bungee cord. Baker and his brother paid $30 each to be strapped into the Ejector Seat. When the ride was over after less than a minute, Baker emerged with his face flushed.

“That was too amazing!” he said. “Dude, if I had more money, I’d do it again!”

His older brother, Scott, wasn’t as enthusiastic: “I really don’t feel so good. Let’s go get a drink.”

At the “Going Ape” booth, more than 20 people lined up to pay $9 apiece to pose for a framed picture with Max or Bernie, two playful chimpanzees.

Matthew Yee, 9, smiled wide as a Bernie the chimp sat next to him. “Momeeee!” Matthew squealed with delight.

When not posing for pictures, the chimpanzees, both younger than 2, swung on a rope, hid in a hammock or grabbed handfuls of moist towelettes set aside for the more personal moments--diaper-changing time before a cooing audience.

In nearby booths, children waited to get their faces painted and an artist sketched caricatures. A talent contest at a neighboring stage drew singers and dancers of all age groups as the crowd clapped along.

Long lines formed for the fair’s new “Thunder Lagoon,” a simulated rain forest exhibit. The $100,000 attraction is a six-minute show where visitors can witness a tropical rainstorm. “It’s gorgeous scenery,” said Carolyn Duckworth of Anaheim.

Sherry Neuenschwander of San Juan Capistrano was more interested in the four-legged attractions. She introduced 21-month-old daughter Cloe to the pony rides.

“This is great for the kids,” Neuenschwander said as Cloe, strapped into a saddle, rode past her mother. “Now we’re going to the dog show.”

The canines were a popular attraction for many of the 16,000 visitors who arrived at the fair by 3 p.m. Saturday. Fair officials expected at least an additional 25,000 to come through the gates Saturday night for the Stephen Stills concert. Friday, opening day, drew 33,000 visitors.

The Orange County Fair runs through July 23. Hours are noon to midnight Monday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday.

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Today at the Fair Here’s a look at what’s happening at the Orange County Fair today: * Hours are 10 a.m. to midnight * Livestock gate opens at 6 a.m. All Day* Cars of past, present and future * The art of embroidery * Wood-turning for children * Demonstrations by North Orange County Gem and Mineral Society 8 a.m. Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Assn. horse show 10 a.m. * Judging: rabbits * Judging: pot-bellied pigs * Demonstration: silver-smithing * Hoot’n Nanny Hoe Down contest 11 a.m. * Hula Hoop contest * Happy Squares square dancers * Pageant queens--city of La Mirada 11:30 a.m. Alley Cats Noon * Learning about quilting * Hummingbird contest * Kung Fu San Soo martial arts * Huntington Academy of Dance * Clockwork Jugglers * K-9 Comets 12:30 p.m. Stock dogs in action 1 p.m. * Heinz hitch exhibition * Demonstration: how to make wire-wrap jewelry * Home-grown herbs contest * Potato push contest * Orange County Talent Search * Happy Squares square dancers * All American Boys Chorus * Bijou Magical Theater 1:30 p.m. Russell Brothers Circus 2 p.m. * Wine-tasting seminar * Topiary twister contest * Kung Fu San Soo Martial Arts * Pageant queens--city of La Mirada * Alley Cats 2:30 p.m. * Goat-milking contest * Clockwork Jugglers * Bijou Magical Theater 3 p.m. * Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Assn. horse show * Shark attack contest * Orange Blossom Cloggers * Huntington Academy of Dance * All American Boys Chorus * K-9 Comets 3:30 p.m. * Gardening tips * Stock dogs in action 4 p.m. * Etch-a-Sketch contest * Babylon Mood belly dance troupe * Moonlight Express Big Band * Alley Cats * Russell Brothers Circus * Bijou Magical Theater 4:30 p.m. * Cooking with herbs * Clockwork Jugglers 5 p.m. * Limbo contest * Orange Blossom Cloggers * Moonlight Express Big Band * Main Street Jazz Band 5:30 p.m. Alive & Pickin’ Bluegrass 6 p.m. * Free identification of gemstones (until 9 p.m.) * Gifts for a gardener * Pizza eating contest * Wild Roses duo * K-9 Comets * Bijou Magical Theater 6:30 p.m. * Main Street Jazz Band * Alive & Pickin’ Bluegrass * Stock Dogs in Action * Hypnotist Mark Yuzuik * Suzy & The Knockouts 7 p.m. * Scott Willie Combo * Wild Roses duo * Russell Brothers Circus 7:30 p.m. * Shenandoah concert * Revels Surf Band * Main Street Jazz Band * Alive & Pickin’ Bluegrass * Suzy & The Knockouts * Bijou Magical Theater 8 p.m. * Midget cars * Armand Blais Big Band * Rhythm Cats 8:30 p.m. * Main Street Jazz * Alive & Pickin’ Bluegrass * Hypnotist Mark Yuzuik * Suzy & The Knockouts 9 p.m. * Rhythm Cats * Bijou Magical Theater 9:30 p.m. * Revels Surf Band * Alive & Pickin’ Bluegrass * Suzy & The Knockouts 10 p.m. * Armand Blais Big Band * Rhythm Cats